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Musical Prodigies: Interpretations from Psychology, Education, Musicology, and Ethnomusicology

Online ISBN:
9780191806049
Print ISBN:
9780199685851
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Book

Musical Prodigies: Interpretations from Psychology, Education, Musicology, and Ethnomusicology

Gary E. McPherson (ed.)
Gary E. McPherson
(ed.)

Ormond Professor and Director

Ormond Professor and Director, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne , Australia
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Published online:
19 January 2017
Published in print:
8 September 2016
Online ISBN:
9780191806049
Print ISBN:
9780199685851
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Abstract

Until now, no single resource has attempted to bring together such a varied range of disciplines to study the phenomenon of the musical prodigy, nor attempted to cover such a diverse range of topics. The 35 chapters which comprise Musical Prodigies: Interpretations from Psychology, Education, Musicology, and Ethnomusicology are organized according to three sections: Theoretical Frameworks, Aspects of Development, and Individual Examples. Each chapter retains the style and referencing of the author’s area of research. Readers will find a multitude of clues within this volume that will help shape their thinking about how children are able to earn the label “musical prodigy.” It is important to note, however, that no single or unanimous interpretation is currently available that provides a definitive explanation of musical development or the phenomenon of the musical prodigy. It is also true that not all of the 51 researchers who took part in this project would agree on every issue or interpretation, yet all are highly knowledgeable authorities who possess enormous enthusiasm for enriching understandings in this aspect of human achievement. The volume seeks to provide a uniquely valuable resource that encourages readers to think more deeply about the many varied ways in which precocious music development can unfold during childhood. The aim has been to interrogate the many factors of the phenomenon of the musical prodigy, and in so doing, stimulate discussion on a largely unexplored area of research.

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